HK1128325A - Computer system and method for providing warnings to a user for completing tasks from the task list - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer system comprising a processor unit (11), being arranged to communicate with a memory (12, 13, 14, 15) and a positioning device (23), the memory (12, 13, 14 15) being arranged to comprise a map database and a task list, the task list being arranged to comprise at least one task, where at least one of the at least one task has a location indicator associated with it. The positioning device (23) is arranged to provide information about a position. The computer system is arranged to a) compute an estimated travel parameter from a current position to a location indicator associated with one of the at least one task using the map database, b) compare the estimated travel parameter to a predetermined threshold value, and c) generate a warning signal if the estimated travel parameter is smaller than the predetermined threshold value.

Description

Computer system and method for providing alerts to a user for completion of tasks from a task list

Technical Field

The invention relates to a computer system arranged to include a map database and a task list, arranged to provide a user with an alert to complete a task from the task list. The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising the computer system, a method for providing an alert to a user for completing a task from a task list, a computer program and a data carrier.

Background

The prior art navigation devices based on GPS (global positioning system) are well known and widely used as in-vehicle navigation systems. The GPS-based navigation device relates to a computing device that is functionally connected to an external (or internal) GPS receiver and is capable of determining its global position. Further, the computing device is capable of determining a route between a start address and a destination address, which may be input by a user of the computing device. Typically, the computing device is implemented by software for computing a "best" or "optimal" route between the start address location and the destination address location from a map database. The "best" or "optimal" route is determined based on predetermined criteria and need not necessarily be the fastest or shortest route.

The navigation device may typically be mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle, but may also be formed as part of the onboard computer of a vehicle or car radio. The navigation device may also be (part of) a handheld system such as a PDA or laptop.

Using position information derived from the GPS receiver, the computing device can determine its position at regular intervals and can display the current position of the vehicle to the user. The navigation device may also include a memory device for storing map data and a display for displaying selected portions of the map data.

Also, it may provide instructions on how to navigate the determined route by appropriate navigation directions, which are displayed on the display and/or generated as audible signals from a speaker (e.g., "turn left at 100m in front"). Graphics depicting the actions to be completed (e.g., a left arrow indicating a left turn ahead) may be displayed in the status bar, and may also be superimposed over applicable intersections/turns, etc. in the map itself.

It is known to enable in-vehicle navigation systems to allow a driver to initiate route recalculation while driving a car along a route calculated by the navigation system. This is useful in situations where the vehicle is faced with construction work or severe congestion.

It is also known to enable a user to select the kind of route calculation algorithm deployed by the navigation device, for example to choose from a "normal" mode and a "fast" mode (which calculates the route in the shortest time, but does not look at as many alternative routes as the normal mode).

It is also known to allow routes to be calculated with user-defined criteria; for example, a user may prefer a scenic route to be calculated by the device. The device software will then calculate various routes and give more preference to those that include along their route the most points of interest (known as POIs) marked as being, for example, scenic attractions.

US 6,266,612B1 describes a mobile computer system arranged to receive positioning information corresponding to its geographical position, for example by means of GPS satellites, global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) satellites or pseudolites. The mobile computer system may further include or have access to a database that includes a list of tasks. When the positioning information indicates that the mobile computer is within a predetermined radius R of a geographic location that allows completion of a task from the task list, the mobile computer system indexes the database based on the positioning information. In this case, the mobile computer system is arranged to provide an alert.

It is an object to provide a computer system arranged to generate more effective alarms.

Disclosure of Invention

An aspect of the invention provides a computer system comprising a processor unit arranged to communicate with a memory and a positioning device,

the memory being arranged to include a map database and a task list, the task list being arranged to include at least one task, wherein at least one of the at least one task has a location indicator associated therewith,

the positioning device being arranged to provide information about a position, characterized in that the computer system is arranged to

a) Calculating estimated travel parameters from a current position measured by the positioning device to a position indicator associated with one of the at least one task using the map database,

b) comparing the estimated travel parameter to a predetermined threshold, and

c) generating an alarm signal if the estimated travel parameter is less than the predetermined threshold. The computer system is arranged to provide an alert to a user regarding a task to be completed only when the task can be completed relatively easily (i.e. compared to a predetermined threshold).

According to an embodiment, the map database comprises address information and points of interest, the points of interest being divided into POI categories, and wherein each location indicator may be one of an address and a point of interest (POI) category.

According to an embodiment, in case the location indicator associated with the task is a POI category, the computer system is arranged to perform a) by:

a1) selecting a plurality of POIs from a POI category from a map database using a POI selection algorithm,

a2) calculating estimated travel parameters from the current location to each selected POI, and

a3) selecting a POI of the plurality of POIs having a smallest estimated travel parameter.

According to an embodiment, the estimated travel parameter is calculated by calculating a route from the current location to the location indicator using navigation software.

According to an embodiment, the estimated travel parameter is calculated according to a predetermined criterion (e.g. shortest route, fastest route).

According to an embodiment, the estimated travel parameter is calculated taking into account current traffic information.

According to an embodiment, each of the at least one task has a threshold associated therewith and is performed by comparing the estimated travel parameter to a predetermined threshold associated with the associated task.

According to an embodiment, each task has a time associated with it.

According to an embodiment, the predetermined threshold varies.

According to an embodiment, the predetermined threshold varies as a function of time associated with the task. For example, the predetermined threshold may increase as the time associated with the task approaches.

According to an embodiment, the estimated travel parameter is one of an estimated travel time and an estimated travel distance.

According to an embodiment, the predetermined threshold is one of a time threshold and a distance threshold.

According to an embodiment, the alarm signal may be an acoustic alarm signal provided using a speaker, a verbal alarm message, or the like.

According to an embodiment, the alert signal is an alert icon displayed on the display.

According to an embodiment, the alert icon is a virtual button that, when pressed, triggers the computer system to provide navigation instructions to navigate the user to the associated location indicator.

According to an embodiment, the computer system may be any one of the following: navigation devices, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers.

According to an embodiment, the computer system is arranged to register the completion of a task.

According to an embodiment, the computer system is a navigation device.

An aspect of the invention provides a vehicle comprising a computer system according to the above. The vehicle may be an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like.

One aspect of the invention provides a method comprising:

-providing a map database and a task list, the task list being arranged to include at least one task, wherein at least one of the at least one task has a location indicator associated therewith,

-providing a positioning device arranged to provide information about a position, characterized in that the method comprises the following:

a) calculating estimated travel parameters from a current position measured by the positioning device to a position indicator associated with one of the at least one task using the map database,

b) comparing the estimated travel parameter to a predetermined threshold, and

c) generating an alarm signal if the estimated travel parameter is less than the predetermined threshold.

An aspect of the invention provides a computer program which, when loaded on a computer arrangement, is arranged to perform the method described above.

An aspect of the invention provides a data carrier comprising a computer program according to the above.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

fig. 1 schematically depicts a schematic block diagram of a navigation device;

figure 2 schematically depicts a schematic view of a navigation device;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a task list according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically depict a flow chart of a different embodiment;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a task list according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts a flow chart according to an embodiment;

fig. 7 schematically depicts a flow chart according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation device 10, the navigation device 10 comprising a processor unit 11 for performing arithmetic operations. The processor unit 11 is arranged to communicate with memory units storing instructions and data, such as a hard disk 12 or another external storage medium, a Read Only Memory (ROM)13, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)14 and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 15. The memory unit may include map data. Such map data may be two-dimensional map data (latitude and longitude), but may also include a third latitude number (altitude). The map data may further include additional information, such as information about various types of points of interest (POIs). Examples of POIs include, but are not limited to, gas/gas stations, stores, tourist attractions, and the like. The POI locations may be static (which is the case for most POIs) or dynamic. For example, a POI may be an indication of the current location of an object, such as another navigation device 10, wherein the other navigation device 10 is a moving object, whose current location may be exchanged via a network connecting different navigation devices 10. POIs may also be dynamic POIs in that they are only temporarily present, such as POIs referring to the location of an event such as a popular concert.

The map data may also include information about the shape of buildings and objects along the road. Other map augmentation content may also exist, such as weather conditions.

The processor unit 11 may also be arranged to communicate with one or more input devices, such as a keyboard 16 and a mouse 17. The keyboard 16 may be, for example, a virtual keyboard provided on the display 18 as a touch screen. The processor unit 11 may further be arranged to communicate with one or more output devices, such as a display 18, a speaker 29, and with one or more reading units 19, to read, for example, a floppy disk 20 or a CD ROM or DVD21, or another available storage medium. The display 18 may be a conventional computer display (e.g., an LCD), or may be a projection type display, such as a heads-up display for projecting meter data onto an automobile windshield or windshield. The display 18 may also be a display arranged to act as a touch screen, allowing a user to input instructions and/or information by touching the display 18 with a finger.

The speaker 29 may be formed as part of the navigation device 10. In the case where the navigation device 10 is used as an in-vehicle navigation device, the navigation device 10 may use speakers of a car radio, an on-board computer, or the like.

The processor unit 11 may further be arranged to communicate with a positioning device 23, such as a GPS receiver, which positioning device 23 provides information about the position of the navigation device 10 or the positioning device 23 itself. According to this embodiment, the positioning device 23 is a GPS based positioning device 23. It will be appreciated, however, that the navigation device 10 may implement any kind of location sensing technology and is not limited to GPS. It may thus be implemented using other kinds of GNSS (global navigation satellite system), such as the european galileo system. Again, it is not limited to satellite-based position/velocity systems, but may equally be deployed using ground-based beacons or any other kind of system that enables the device to determine its geographic location.

However, it should be understood that more and/or other memory cells, input devices, and read devices known to those skilled in the art may be provided. Further, one or more of them may be physically located remote from the processor unit 11, if desired. The processor unit 11 is shown as one block, however it may comprise several processing units acting in parallel or controlled by one main processor, which may be located remotely from each other, as known to the person skilled in the art.

The navigation device 10 is shown as a computer system, but may be any signal processing system with analog and/or digital and/or software technology arranged to perform the functions discussed herein. It will be appreciated that although the navigation device 10 is shown as multiple components in figure 1, the navigation device 10 may be formed as a single device.

The navigation device 10 may use navigation software, such as that known as a "navigator" from tomtomtomtom ltd (tomtomtom b.v.). The "navigator" software may run on PDA devices not specifically created for navigation purposes, such as the compaq iPaq running under windows ce (windows ce) or the nokia communicator phone running under the Symbian operating system (Symbian OS), and these devices may have an integral GPS receiver 23 or use an external GPS receiver, or on specialized navigation PDA devices, such as tomtomtom GO (TomTom GO). The combined PDA and GPS receiver system is designed for use as an in-vehicle navigation system. Embodiments may also be implemented in any other setting of the navigation device 10, such as a device with an integral GPS receiver/computer/display or a setting designed for non-vehicular use (e.g., for walkers) or vehicles other than automobiles (e.g., airplanes).

Fig. 2 depicts a navigation device 10 as described above.

The "navigator" software, when run on the navigation device 10, causes the navigation device 10 to display a normal navigation mode screen on the display 18, as shown in fig. 2. This view may use a combination of text, symbols, voice guidance, and moving maps to provide driving instructions. Key user interface elements are as follows: the three-dimensional map occupies most of the screen. Note that the map may also be shown as a two-dimensional map.

The map shows the location of the navigation device 10 and its immediate surroundings, which are rotated in such a way that the direction in which the navigation device 10 is moving is always "up". Extending across the bottom quarter of the screen may be a status bar 2. The current position of the navigation device 10 (the navigation device 10 itself is determined using conventional GPS position determination) and its orientation (inferred from its direction of travel) is depicted by a position arrow 3. The device calculated route 4 (using a route calculation algorithm stored in the memory device 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 applied to map data in a map database stored in the memory device 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is shown as a darkened route. On the route 4, all major actions (e.g. turning corners, intersections, roundabouts etc.) are schematically depicted by arrows 5 overlaying the route 4. The status bar 2 also comprises at its left side a schematic icon 6 depicting the next action (here, a right turn). The status bar 2 also shows the distance to the next action (i.e. the right turn-here the distance is 190 meters) which is extracted from a database of the entire route calculated by the device (i.e. a list of all roads and related actions defining the route to be taken). The status bar 2 also shows the name of the current road 8, the estimated time to take before arrival 9 (here, 35 minutes), the actual estimated time of arrival 22(4:50pm), and the distance to the destination 26(31.6 Km). Status bar 2 may further show additional information, such as showing GPS signal strength in a mobile phone style signal strength indicator.

As already mentioned above, the navigation device may comprise an input device, such as a touch screen, which allows a user to invoke a navigation menu (not shown). Other navigation functions may be initiated or controlled from this menu. Allowing navigation functions to be selected from a menu screen that is itself very easy to invoke (e.g., one step away from the map display to the menu screen) greatly simplifies user interaction and makes it faster and easier. The navigation menu includes options for the user to enter a destination.

The actual physical structure of the navigation device 10 itself may be substantially indistinguishable from any conventional handheld computer except for the integral GPS receiver 23 or a GPS data feed from an external GPS receiver. Thus, the memory units 12, 13, 14, 15 store route calculation algorithms, map databases and user interface software; the processor unit 12 interprets and processes the user input (e.g., using the touch screen to input the start and destination addresses and all other control inputs) and deploys a route calculation algorithm to calculate an optimal route. "optimal" may refer to criteria such as shortest time or shortest distance or some other user-related factor.

More specifically, the user uses the provided input devices (e.g., touch screen 18, keypad 16, etc.) to enter their starting location and desired destination into the navigation software running on the navigation device 10. The user may enter the destination, for example, by typing in the destination address or selecting a (static/dynamic) POI as the destination.

The user then selects the way to calculate the travel route: providing various modes, such as a "fast" mode, which calculates the route very quickly, but the route may not be shortest; a "full" mode, which looks at all possible routes and locates the shortest route, but takes longer to calculate, etc. Other options may also be selected where the user defines a scenic route-e.g. passing the most POIs (points of interest) marked as graceful scenery or passing the most POIs that children may be interested in or using the fewest junctions etc.

The navigation device 10 may further include an input-output device 25 that allows the navigation device to communicate with remote systems, such as other navigation devices 10, personal computers, servers, etc., via a network 27. The network 27 may be any type of network 27, such as a LAN, WAN, Bluetooth, the Internet, an intranet, or the like. The communication may be wired or wireless. The wireless communication link may, for example, use RF signals (radio frequency) and an RF network.

The roads themselves are described in the map database as part of (or otherwise accessed by) the navigation software running on the navigation device 10 as lines-i.e., vectors (e.g., start point, end point, direction of a road, with an entire road being made up of hundreds of such sections, each uniquely defined by start/end point direction parameters). Thus, a map is a collection of such road vectors, plus points of interest (POIs), plus road names, plus other geographic features (such as park boundaries, river boundaries, etc., all defined in terms of vectors), plus additional information that may change over time (traffic jams, weather conditions, locations of other people, etc.). All map features (e.g., road vectors, POIs, etc.) are defined in a coordinate system corresponding to or related to the GPS coordinate system, enabling the device location determined by the GPS system to be located onto the relevant road shown in the map.

The map database may include address information such as road names, house numbers, postal or zip codes, city names, etc.

Route calculation uses complex algorithms as part of the navigation software. The algorithm is applied to score a large number of potentially different routes. The navigation software then evaluates them against user-defined criteria (or device defaults), such as full mode scanning, with scenic routes, past museums, and no speed camera. A route that best meets the defined criteria is then calculated by the processor unit 11 and then stored as a sequence of vectors, road names and actions to be completed at the vector end points (e.g. corresponding to a predetermined distance along each road of the route, e.g. turn left into street x after 100 meters) in a database in the memory means 12, 13, 14, 15.

The navigation device 10 can also be incorporated in any kind of computer system, such as a mobile phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant) or a laptop. It will be appreciated that the term navigation device 10 as used herein may also relate to navigation devices 10 that do not have a display 18. Such a navigation device 10 may be arranged to provide only audible instructions and may be used, for example, by visually impaired persons.

Example 1A

According to an embodiment, a navigation device 10 such as described above is provided. The navigation device 10 may include a list of tasks as schematically depicted in figure 3 stored in memory 12, 13, 14, 15. This task list may be entered by the user using, for example, the input devices described above (keyboard 16, mouse 17, display 18 being a touch screen as will be known to the skilled person). Alternatively, the input may be made using audio input, as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

The task list may include a number of tasks, such as "visit museum", "buy gift", and "shop". Associated with the task, the task list includes a location indicator, such as address: "amsterdam museum avenue No. 1" or POI category: a "toy store" or "shopping mall".

The POI category may also relate to a certain subject or personal interests of the user, such as "photography," "dance," "music," "favorites," "sports," "painting," "carving," "car," "computer," and so forth.

To efficiently organize all POIs and POI categories and allow easy selection of an appropriate POI category for a user, some POI categories may include multiple POIs (e.g., POI category "music store" may include multiple music stores), while other POI categories may include multiple POI categories (e.g., POI category "music" may include POI categories "music store", "pop concert", and "dance"). This allows the user to simply select a POI category that matches his interest.

It will be appreciated that by selecting this interest (e.g., "music"), the user is constantly notified of nearby music stores, popular concerts, etc. Since the POIs stored in the memory of the navigation device 10 may be dynamic POIs and may be updated on a regular basis, the user may be notified of events such as popular concerts.

Figure 4a schematically shows a flow diagram of actions that a navigation device 10 may perform, according to an embodiment. The memories 12, 13, 14, 15 may comprise programming instructions readable and executable by the processor unit 11, which instruct the processor unit 11 to perform the actions as presented in fig. 4 a.

In a first action 100, the processor unit 11 may start executing the flow chart. Act 100 may be triggered by a user instructing the navigation device 10 to begin execution. However, the navigation device 10 may also be programmed to start automatically, for example when the navigation device 10 is turned on.

In a next action 101, the processor unit 11 determines the current position of the navigation device 10, e.g. by receiving position data from the positioning device 23, e.g. a GPS receiver, which position data provides information about the position of the navigation device 10, as described above. The processor unit 11 may instruct the positioning device 23 to perform position measurements, but the positioning device 23 may also be arranged to perform position measurements continuously. In the latter case, the processor unit 11 may simply use the most recently available position measurements.

In a next action 102, the processor unit 11 retrieves a first location indicator, e.g. an address: amsterdam museum avenue No. 1. If the location indicator is an address, processing continues with act 103.

In act 103, a route is calculated from the current location determined in act 101 to the address retrieved from the task list in act 102. This route may be calculated using any kind of navigation software known to the skilled person. The navigation device 10 may use the "normal" mode or the "fast mode" to calculate an optimal route (e.g., the shortest route or the fastest route), as described above.

When calculating a route from the current location to an address associated with the task, estimated travel parameters are also calculated, such as estimated travel time, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. Calculating the estimated travel time may be performed by considering a speed limit along the route. Calculating the estimated travel time may further be performed by considering current traffic information (traffic congestion) or the like. The estimated travel time may be, for example, 15 minutes.

After calculating the (optimal) route and the associated estimated travel time, in action 104, the travel time is compared with a time threshold T value, e.g. stored in memory 12, 13, 14, 15. This time threshold T may be a predetermined time threshold T as will be explained in more detail below. If the estimated travel time is greater than the time threshold T, no alert signal is generated and no alert is provided to the user. If the estimated travel time is less than or equal to the time threshold T, an alert signal is generated and an alert is provided to the user. This is determined by the processor unit 11 in act 108.

After act 108, the process returns to act 102, where it retrieves the next location indicator from the task list from memory 12, 13, 14, 15, such as the POI category: "toy store". In this case the location indicator is a POI category and the process continues with act 105.

In act 105, relevant POIs are selected within the range R of the current location determined in act 101. The range R may be a standard range R stored in the memory 12, 13, 14, 15, for example 5 km. The range R may for example be linked to a time threshold T used in acts 104 and 107 (described below), where R is the threshold T divided by some highest speed v, for example 100km/h_max。

However, according to an alternative, instead of selecting all relevant POIs within range, it is also possible to select the 10 closest relevant POIs. Of course, any other suitable number may be used.

It should be appreciated that act 105 may be performed using any suitable POI selection algorithm.

In a next action 106, routes to these selected relevant POIs and their respective estimated travel times are calculated. The route may be calculated as described above, for example, with respect to act 103.

Next, in act 107, the minimum travel time is compared to a time threshold T, similar to act 104. Thereafter, in act 108, it is determined whether an alarm signal is generated.

Finally, the process returns to act 102 to retrieve the next location indicator from the task list. According to an embodiment, the process may return only to act 102 without generating any alarm signal or after the user has ignored the alarm. This is to prevent more than one alarm signal being generated at the same time.

According to an embodiment, the process may return to act 101 instead of act 102 to determine the latest current location. It should be appreciated that acts 101 and 102 may also be performed in reverse order: act 102 is performed first, followed by act 101.

The process described herein may be repeated until all of the position indicators from the task list have been used. Thereafter, the process may be restarted with the first position indicator or may be set to wait a predetermined amount of time before restarting with the first position indicator in order to save computation time.

According to an embodiment, the processor unit 11 may be arranged to restart with the first position indicator when detecting in act 101 that the navigation device 10 has moved more than a predetermined distance, e.g. 1 km.

Following act 108, there may be an option to mark the task for which the POI search is performed as completed or to delete the task. If all tasks in the task list are marked as completed or there are no tasks in the task list, the method according to, for example, FIG. 4a may be interrupted until one or more entries are again entered in the task list.

Example 1B

According to a further embodiment, a flowchart thereof is shown in fig. 4b, instead of calculating the estimated travel time T, the estimated travel distance D is calculated. Fig. 4b is similar to fig. 4a, except for the actions 103, 104, 106 and 107, which are now replaced by actions 103.1, 104.1, 106.1 and 107.1.

In action 103.1, a route is calculated from the current location determined in action 101 to the address retrieved from the task list in action 102. This route may be calculated using any kind of navigation software known to the skilled person. The navigation device 10 may use the "normal" mode or the "fast mode" to calculate an optimal route (e.g., the shortest route, or the fastest route), as described above.

When calculating a route from the current location to an address associated with the task, estimated travel parameters are also calculated, such as an estimated travel distance, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. Calculating the estimated distance of travel may be performed in a manner known to the skilled person. The estimated travel distance may be, for example, 10 kilometers.

After the (optimal) route and the associated estimated travel distance are calculated, in action 104.1 the travel time is compared with a distance threshold D value, e.g. stored in memory 12, 13, 14, 15. This distance threshold D may be a predetermined distance threshold D, as will be explained in more detail below. If the estimated travel time is greater than the distance threshold D, no alert signal is generated and no alert is provided to the user. If the estimated travel time is less than or equal to the distance threshold D, an alert signal is generated and an alert is provided to the user. This is determined by the processor unit 11 in act 108.

It will be appreciated that similar modifications can be made to acts 106 and 107, as shown by acts 106.1 and 107.1 in fig. 4 b.

In general, estimated travel parameters are calculated in the actions 103, 103.1, 106, 106.1, which may be, for example, an estimated travel time T or an estimated travel distance D. This estimated travel parameter is then compared to a threshold, which may be a time threshold T or a distance threshold D.

Threshold value

In acts 104 and 107 described above, the estimated travel parameter is compared to the threshold T, D to determine whether to generate an alert signal and provide an alert to the user. This threshold T, D may be a predetermined threshold T, D, such as 15 minutes or 10 kilometers.

According to an embodiment, a task-specific threshold T may be entered by a user when adding a new task to a task list_i，D_i. The navigation device 10 may be arranged to require the user to input a task specific threshold T_i，D_i. This provides the user with storing different task-specific thresholds T for different tasks_i，D_iAn option of (1).

The task list may further include a time column that specifies when a task needs to be performed. For example, the task "visit a museum" may have the following times associated with it: "21/3/2006 to 21/9/2006". This may be useful in case the user wants to visit a museum exhibition that is open only during the indicated time window. The task "buy a gift" may have the following time associated with it: "before day 5/13 2006," for example, where the gift is for a birthday party held on day 5/13 2006. Further, the task "shopping" may have a time associated with it: "weekly" because shopping is required weekly.

According to an embodiment, the threshold T, D may depend on the specified time. Distance threshold D for visiting a museum, for example_iMay increase from, for example, the initial 5km to 100km during the time window "21 3/21 2006 to 21/9/2006" to ensure that an alert is provided to the user within the time window.

According to a further embodiment, the navigation device 10 may be arranged to generate an alert signal and provide an alert to a user when the last deadline of a certain task is approached, irrespective of the current location of the navigation device 10.

Alarm signal

The alert may be an alert icon displayed on the display 18, such as including text: "task: visit the exhibition. Estimating the travel time: for 15 minutes. "this alert icon may be a virtual button, providing the user with the option to accept the alert or ignore the alert. When accepted, the navigation device 10 is triggered to navigate the user to the address, for example according to a previously calculated route. When the user ignores the alert, the navigation device 10 may be triggered to ignore this task for a predetermined time in order to prevent the alert from being repeatedly provided.

The alert icon may further provide the user with an option to request additional information, such as regarding the type of POI, price availability, open time, etc.

The alert may of course also be provided by an acoustic alert signal provided using the speaker 29, a verbal alert message or the like.

Completion of registration tasks

The navigation device 10 may further be arranged to register when a task is completed, such as when an alert icon is accepted, or when the navigation device 10 senses using the positioning device 23 that a location associated with a task has indeed been visited, or when a user manually sets the status of a task to completed. As discussed above, there may be an option to mark a task for which a POI search has been performed as completed or delete the task.

Adding new tasks

Different ways can be conceived for adding a new task to the task list. According to an embodiment, the navigation device 10 may comprise a set of predefined tasks for a particular POI and/or POI category from which the user may select in order to add a task to the list of tasks. Of course, the user may also add new tasks to the set of predefined tasks. According to this embodiment, the user may add a new task to the task list by selecting a task from the set of predefined tasks, and the user only needs to enter the relevant time.

Order of completing tasks

According to another possibility, in case there are several tasks in the task list and several POIs that can perform these tasks, the POI located in the optimal route can be selected for the user. For example, in this way, a minimum travel time and/or minimum cost will be required as long as the navigation device 10 is able to estimate these (examples: toll roads, parking fees, traffic congestion). Also, the order in which the tasks may be completed may be adjusted to reduce travel time.

Therefore, the selection of the second POI may depend on the location of the selected first POI in order to minimize travel time and cost.

In the event that more than one alert is provided, the navigation device 10 may be arranged to calculate the optimal order in which the task will be completed based on the least travel time and/or least expense.

Advantages of the invention

The navigation device 10 described in the embodiments provides task prompts to a user when the user is in the vicinity of a location capable of performing a task. This eliminates the need for the user to continually review the task list and browse through all tasks to be performed. It also reduces the likelihood of forgetting the task.

This is particularly useful for tasks that may not be very urgent but which ultimately need to be performed. For such tasks, most users tend to forget and only realize that they must perform the task when the opportunity is lost.

According to embodiments described herein, an alert signal is generated and an alert provided to a user based on an estimated travel parameter (e.g., an estimated travel time or an estimated travel distance) and not based on a straight-line distance. This provides the user with an alert that includes an accurate prediction of the amount of time that will take to complete the task. In the event that an alert is to be provided based on the straight-line distance, the user will not know the amount of time it will take to complete the task. A shopping mall located 500 meters near a highway on which a user is driving may require 30 minutes of driving or 40 kilometers of driving (in the case of a highway without a direct exit to the shopping mall). According to the embodiments described herein, no alert signal will be generated in this case, or in the case of an alert signal being generated (depending on the threshold), the user will be given accurate information about the estimated travel time or distance.

As the embodiments described herein calculate an (optimal) route to a location relevant to completing a task, the navigation device 10 may take into account current traffic conditions, etc. Therefore, in the case where there is traffic congestion on the route between the current location and the location where the task is to be completed, the user may not be given an alert to complete the task.

Also, according to embodiments described herein, the user is provided with the option to store several types of location indicators (e.g., addresses or POI categories) in the task list. By providing an option to store POI categories associated with a task to be completed, the user does not need to specify exactly where the task is to be completed. In the case where a gift is to be purchased, the user need only specify the type of POI that the appropriate gift is to be purchased.

Example 2

According to another embodiment, a task list according to fig. 5 is provided, wherein the location indicator is a POI category.

It is believed that using POI categories as location indicators instead of addresses provides an advantageous embodiment. According to this embodiment, the user does not need to specify the exact address at which the task will be completed. The navigation device 10 is provided with functionality to search for relevant POIs that can complete a task and meet predetermined criteria, such as being within a certain range R' of the current location, as will be explained in more detail below.

Figure 6 schematically shows a flow chart of actions that may be performed by the navigation device 10 according to this embodiment. The memories 12, 13, 14, 15 may comprise programming instructions readable and executable by the processor unit 11 that instruct the processor unit 11 to perform actions as presented in fig. 6.

In a first action 200, the processor unit 11 may start executing the flow chart. Act 200 may be triggered by a user instructing the navigation device 10 to begin execution. However, the navigation device 10 may also be programmed to start automatically, for example, when the navigation device 10 is activated.

In a next action 201, the processor unit 11 determines the current position of the navigation device 10, e.g. by receiving position data from the positioning device 23, e.g. a GPS receiver, which position data provides information about the position of the navigation device 10, as described above. The processor unit 11 may instruct the positioning device 23 to perform position measurements, but the positioning device may also be arranged to perform position measurements continuously. In the latter case, the processor unit 11 may simply use the most recently available position measurements.

Next, in act 202 the navigation device 10 retrieves a first location indicator (which is a POI category) from the list of tasks stored in the memory 12, 13, 14, 15.

In a next act 203, relevant POIs closest to the current location determined in act 201 are searched for. This can be done in several ways as will be appreciated by the skilled person. It may for example be constructed with a certain radius R around the current position₁Is located at said circle having radius R and the search is made for₁All relevant POIs within the circle of (a). In the case where more than one POI is found, the radius is reduced (e.g., R)₂＝R₁2) and in case no POI is found, the radius R is increased₁(e.g. R)₂＝3*R₁/2). This iterative process of increasing and decreasing circles may be performed until only a single POI is found, which may be considered the nearest POI.

Once the nearest POI or several nearest POIs are determined, the distance from the current location to the POI or POIs is determined. This distance may be a "straight line" distance (in which case it is sufficient to select only one POI), but may also be an estimated distance of travel (which may be calculated as explained above with reference to embodiments 1a and 1 b).

Thereafter, the distance from the current location to the nearest relevant POI determined in act 204 is compared to a predetermined distance threshold R_{Threshold value}(e.g., 10km) for comparison. Distance threshold R_{Threshold value}May be a general threshold value R stored in the memory 12, 13, 14, 15_{Threshold value}But may also be a task specific threshold R_{Threshold value}，1、R_{Threshold value}，2……。

If the distance is greater than the threshold value R_{Threshold value}No alarm signal is generated and no alarm is provided to the user. If the distance is less than or equal to the threshold R_{Threshold value}An alarm signal is generated and an alarm is provided to the user. This is determined in act 205.

Finally, the process returns to act 202 to retrieve the next location indicator from the task list. According to an embodiment, the process may simply return to act 202 without generating any alarm signal or when the user has ignored the alarm. This is to prevent more than one alert being presented to the user at the same time.

According to an embodiment, the process may return to act 201 instead of act 202 to determine the latest current location. It will be appreciated that acts 201 and 202 may also be performed in reverse order: act 202 is performed first, followed by act 201.

Of course, according to a variation of this second embodiment, instead of selecting the nearest relevant POI, the navigation device 10 may select a relevant POI that can be reached within the shortest travel time. This may be done by a process comprising acts 100, 101, 102, 105, 106, 107 and 108 as described with respect to fig. 4 a.

Advantages of the invention

The navigation device 10 described in the embodiments provides task prompts to a user when the user is in the vicinity of a location capable of performing a task. This eliminates the need for the user to continually review the task list and browse through all tasks to be performed. It also reduces the likelihood of forgetting the task.

This is particularly useful for tasks that may not be very urgent but which ultimately need to be performed. For such tasks, most users tend to forget and only realize that they must perform the task when the opportunity is lost.

Also, according to embodiments described herein, the user is provided with an option to store POI categories as location indicators. By providing an option to store POI categories associated with a task to be completed, the user does not need to specify exactly where the task is to be completed. In the case where a gift is to be purchased, the user need only specify the type of POI that the appropriate gift is to be purchased.

Example 3

According to a further embodiment, the navigation device 10 may further be arranged to also use information about the planned route to remind the user of tasks that can be accomplished along the planned route. Thus, a planned route, which may be determined by the navigation device 10, may be compared with location indicators from a list of tasks stored in the memory 12, 13, 14, 15. This may be done, for example, by comparing subsequent locations along the route that are 100 meters apart with the location indicators.

Fig. 7 shows a flow chart according to this embodiment. This flowchart is similar to the one shown in fig. 4a, except that act 101 is now replaced by act 101.1. According to this flowchart, in action 101.1 the navigation device 10 determines the current location based on information received from the positioning device 23 and/or may receive information about a route planned by the navigation device 10. This may be a route that is planned and stored in the memory 12, 13, 14, 15. Of course, the route may also be the route currently being traveled.

In this way, the user is notified of tasks that may be accomplished along the route or near the destination. According to this embodiment, the user may be informed of these tasks in advance, i.e. before the user is actually close to the location indicator or even before the user has started his journey.

Of course, this embodiment may also be combined with other embodiments such as described with reference to fig. 4b (the threshold being the travel distance D) and fig. 6 (the location indicators being POI categories).

If the user is planning a route to a city (e.g., amsterdam), the user may be notified of events occurring in the city. The navigation device 10 may for example show a message informing the user of some event even before the user arrives at the city.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are not limited to navigation devices, but may be incorporated in any kind of computer system, such as a mobile computer system, a laptop, a PDA or a mobile phone. The embodiments may be incorporated in any kind of navigation device 10, such as a handheld computer system, a built-in vehicle navigation device, and the like.

As already mentioned above, the navigation device 10 may also refer to a navigation device 10 without a display 18. Such a navigation device 10 may be used, for example, by visually impaired persons. POIs being told to be within direct proximity of the navigation device 10 may have great advantages to such persons.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. For example, the invention may take the form of a computer program containing one or more sequences of machine-readable instructions describing a method as disclosed above, or a data storage medium (e.g. semiconductor memory, magnetic or optical disk) having such a computer program stored therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all software components may also be formed as hardware components.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

1. A computer system comprising a processor unit (11), the processor unit (11) being arranged to communicate with a memory (12, 13, 14, 15) and a positioning device (23),

the memory (12, 13, 14, 15) is arranged to include a map database and a task list arranged to include at least one task, wherein at least one of the at least one task has a location indicator associated therewith,

the positioning device (23) being arranged to provide information about a position, characterized in that the computer system is arranged to

a) Calculating estimated travel parameters from a current position measured by the positioning device (23) to a position indicator associated with one of the at least one task using the map database,

b) comparing the estimated travel parameter to a predetermined threshold, and

c) generating an alarm signal if the estimated travel parameter is less than the predetermined threshold.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the map database includes address information and points of interest, the points of interest being divided into categories of POIs, and wherein each location indicator may be one of an address and a point of interest (POI) category.

3. A computer system according to claim 2, wherein in the case that the location indicator associated with a task is a POI category, the computer system is arranged to perform a) by:

a1) selecting a plurality of POIs from the POI categories from the map database using a POI selection algorithm,

a2) calculating estimated travel parameters from the current location to each of the selected POIs, and

a3) selecting a POI of the plurality of POIs having a smallest estimated travel parameter.

4. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the estimated travel parameter is calculated by calculating a route from the current location to the location indicator using navigation software.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the estimated travel parameter is calculated according to a predetermined criterion, such as shortest route, fastest route, and the like.

6. The computer system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the estimated travel parameter is calculated taking into account current traffic information.

7. The computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the at least one task has a threshold (T) associated therewith_i，D_i) And b) is performed by comparing the estimated travel parameter to the predetermined threshold associated with the relevant task.

8. The computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein each task has a time associated with it.

9. The computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined threshold varies.

10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the predetermined threshold varies as a function of the time associated with the task.

11. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the estimated travel parameter is one of an estimated travel time and an estimated travel distance.

12. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined threshold is one of a time threshold (T) and a distance threshold (D).

13. Computer system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm signal may be an acoustic alarm signal provided using a speaker (29), a verbal alarm message or the like.

14. Computer system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm signal is an alarm icon displayed on a display (18).

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the alert icon is a virtual button that, when pressed, triggers the computer system to provide navigation instructions to navigate a user to the relevant location indicator.

16. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system may be any one of: navigation device (10), mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), laptop computer.

17. Computer system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is arranged to register the completion of a task.

18. The computer system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is a navigation device.

19. A vehicle comprising the computer system of any one of the preceding claims.

20. A method, comprising:

providing a map database and a task list, the task list arranged to include at least one task, wherein at least one of the at least one task has a location indicator associated therewith,

providing a positioning device (23) arranged to provide information about a position, characterized in that the method comprises the following:

a) calculating estimated travel parameters from a current position measured by the positioning device (23) to a position indicator associated with one of the at least one task using the map database,

b) comparing the estimated travel parameter to a predetermined threshold, and

c) generating an alarm signal if the estimated travel parameter is less than the predetermined threshold.

21. A computer program, when loaded on a computer arrangement, is arranged to perform the method of claim 20.

22. A data carrier containing a computer program according to claim 21.